NBL Round 5: Huskies keep a leadership position

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The game had a very big importance for third-ranked Huskies as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Huskies defeated 6th ranked Bulls in Auckland 88-76. They outrebounded Bulls 45-31 including 36 on the defensive glass. The former international guard Takiula Fahrensohn (201-99, college: Portland, agency: Haylett Sports) orchestrated the victory by scoring 20 points and 8 rebounds. The former international forward Robert Loe (211-91, college: St.Louis) contributed with 14 points and 8 rebounds for the winners. The former international forward Leon Henry (200-85, college: S.Idaho JC, agency: BIG) answered with a double-double by scoring 19 points and 12 rebounds for Bulls. As mentioned above they are alone now at the top position. Bulls lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the seventh place with three games lost. Bulls will play next round against Jets trying to get back on the winning streak. Huskies will try to continue on its current victory against tenth ranked Jets in Palmerston North.
Another exciting game for Hawks (5-2) which played in Christchurch against second-ranked Rams (4-3). Third ranked Hawks upset home team edging them after exciting game by two points 73-71. It was a key game for the second position in the league. The former international swingman Ethan Rusbatch (196-92, college: Lincoln Trail) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 19 points and 10 rebounds for the winners and Jordan Hunt chipped in 21 points and 7 rebounds. International guard Taylor Britt (187-1996, college: Southeast CC) responded with 17 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Rams' coach tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Hawks have a solid series of three victories in a row. They moved-up to second place. Rams at the other side dropped to the fourth position with three games lost. Hawks will play against league's leader Huskies in Auckland in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Rams will play at home against Saints and hope to get back on the winning track.
An interesting game for Airs (0-0) which hosted in New Plymouth second-ranked Nuggets (5-3). Leader Airs managed to get a 13-point victory 96-83. It ended at the same time the five-game winning streak of Nuggets. Anthony Hilliard nailed 29 points and 9 rebounds for the winning side. Airs' coach used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Keith Williams came up with 28 points and 7 rebounds for Nuggets in the defeat. Airs maintains th place with 0-0 record. Loser Nuggets dropped to the third position with three games lost. Airs will meet at home Saints (#9) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Nuggets will play against Giants (#5) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

There were no big surprises in other games of round 5: Nuggets beat Sharks on the road 89-72. Giants lost to Hawks on its own court 73-82. Winless Jets unfortunately lost to Saints in Wellington 88-97.

Rams - Hawks 71-73

Another exciting game for Hawks (5-2) which played in Christchurch against second-ranked Rams (4-3). Third ranked Hawks upset home team edging them after exciting game by two points 73-71. It was a key game for the second position in the league. Hawks made 16-of-20 charity shots (80.0 percent) during the game. The former international swingman Ethan Rusbatch (196-92, college: Lincoln Trail) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 19 points and 10 rebounds for the winners and the former international forward Jordan Hunt (205-1997, college: S.Oregon) chipped in 21 points and 7 rebounds. International guard Taylor Britt (187-1996, college: Southeast CC) responded with 17 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists and the former international forward Maxwell Darling (196-0, agency: Octagon Europe) scored 18 points and 7 rebounds. Four Rams players scored in double figures. Rams' coach tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Hawks have a solid series of three victories in a row. They moved-up to second place. Rams at the other side dropped to the fourth position with three games lost. Hawks will play against league's leader Huskies in Auckland in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Rams will play at home against Saints and hope to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Hawks: J.Hunt 21+7reb+1ast, E.Rusbatch 19+10reb+1ast, H.Harris 10+6reb+6ast, T.Agee 8+4reb, D.Raukawa 7+4reb+3ast, D.Albertsen 3
Rams: M.Darling 18+7reb, T.Britt 17+5reb+4ast, M.Maker 11+9reb+1ast, S.Dech 11+3reb+3ast, M.Karena 6+7reb+1ast, J.Cook-Green 6+1ast

Sharks - Nuggets 72-89

No shocking result in a game when second ranked Nuggets (5-3) beat 8th ranked Sharks (2-4) in Southland 89-72 on Friday. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Nuggets made 8 blocks. American swingman Todd Withers (202-1996, college: Queens, NC) nailed a double-double by scoring 23 points and 15 rebounds for the winning side and his fellow American import guard Keith Williams (196-98, college: WKU) accounted for 21 points and 6 rebounds. Four Nuggets players scored in double figures. Forward Dominique Kelman-Poto (201-1994, college: Adelphi) came up with a double-double by scoring 21 points, 15 rebounds and 4 assists and American forward Winston Shepard (203-1993, college: SDSU, agency: Slash Sports) added 14 points and 12 rebounds respectively for Sharks in the defeat. Nuggets have an impressive series of five victories in a row. Despite that victory Nuggets went down to third position due to points difference. Sharks lost third consecutive game. They keep the eighth place with four games lost. Nuggets will meet at home Giants (#5) in the next round. Sharks will play against Giants and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Nuggets: T.Withers 23+15reb+3ast, K.Williams 21+6reb+3ast, N.McCullough 19+1reb+4ast, S.Timmins 14+14reb+1ast, T.McCall 9+5reb+6ast, J.Aitcheson 3+2reb+1ast
Sharks: D.Kelman-Poto 21+15reb+4ast, W.Shepard 14+12reb+3ast, B.Inger 8+8reb+2ast, R.Gill 6+6reb, A.Burton 6+3reb+2ast, A.Wheeler 5+1ast

Giants - Hawks 73-82

Rather expected game when 5th ranked Giants (3-2) lost to third ranked Hawks (5-2) in Stoke 73-82 on Saturday. Hawks made 18-of-23 free shots (78.3 percent) during the game. Hawks outrebounded Giants 48-32 including a 36-21 advantage in defensive rebounds. American forward Tajuan Agee (206-1997, college: Iona) nailed a double-double by scoring 19 points and 10 rebounds for the winning side and the former international guard Derone Raukawa (181-1994) accounted for 19 points. Four Hawks players scored in double figures. Hawks' coach used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. American point guard Jarrod West (182-99, college: Louisville) came up with 25 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line) and swingman Sam Dempster (194-1990) added 13 points and 8 rebounds respectively for Giants in the defeat. Hawks have a solid series of three victories in a row. They moved-up to second place. Loser Giants keep the fifth position with two games lost. Hawks will meet at home league's leader Huskies in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Giants will play against Nuggets (#3) in Dunedin and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Hawks: T.Agee 19+10reb+2ast, D.Raukawa 19+4reb+1ast, J.Hunt 15+5reb+3ast, E.Rusbatch 14+9reb, E.Bartlett 5+2reb, J.Kenny 4+4reb+4ast
Giants: J.West 25+7reb+6ast, S.Dempster 13+8reb+1ast, M.Alexander 13+1reb, N.Trathen 8+5reb+1ast, S.Thompson 5+8reb+2ast, S.Jordan 4+1reb

Tuatara - Bulls 88-76

The game had a very big importance for third-ranked Huskies as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Huskies defeated 6th ranked Bulls in Auckland 88-76. They outrebounded Bulls 45-31 including 36 on the defensive glass. The former international guard Takiula Fahrensohn (201-99, college: Portland, agency: Haylett Sports) orchestrated the victory by scoring 20 points and 8 rebounds. The former international forward Robert Loe (211-91, college: St.Louis) contributed with 14 points and 8 rebounds for the winners. The former international forward Leon Henry (200-85, college: S.Idaho JC, agency: BIG) answered with a double-double by scoring 19 points and 12 rebounds and power forward Denhym Brooke (203-1996, college: Hawaii-Hilo) added 20 points in the effort for Bulls. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. As mentioned above they are alone now at the top position. Bulls lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the seventh place with three games lost. Bulls will play next round against Jets trying to get back on the winning streak. Huskies will try to continue on its current victory against tenth ranked Jets in Palmerston North.
Top scorers:
Tuatara: T.Fahrensohn 20+8reb+2ast, S.Schneider 17+4reb+3ast, R.Loe 14+8reb+3ast, D.Fotu 10+5reb+1ast, C.Johnson 8+10reb+5ast, I.Braydon 8+3reb+1ast
Bulls: D.Brooke 20+4reb+1ast, L.Henry 19+12reb+3ast, I.Davidson 12+4reb+4ast, J.Bezzant 11+2reb+5ast, A.Rissetto 6+4reb, T.Jett 2+1reb+2ast

Saints - Jets 97-88

Everything could happen in Wellington at the game between two tied teams. Both tenth ranked Saints and bottom-ranked Jets had identical 0-4 record. This time Saints used a home court advantage and won against the opponent from Palmerston North 97-88 on Sunday night. The former international forward Thomas Vodanovich (201-1994, college: JMU) nailed a double-double by scoring 20 points, 16 rebounds and 6 assists for the winning side and the former international forward Taane Samuel (200-1999) accounted for 20 points and 8 rebounds. Jordanian-American center John Bohannon (211-1991, college: UTEP) came up with a double-double by scoring 16 points, 16 rebounds and 5 assists and American forward Robert Crawford (198-1990, college: Cent Arkansas) added 23 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists respectively for Jets in the defeat. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. Defending champion (1-4) left bottom position moving up to ninth place. It was Jets' fifth loss in a row. They still close the standings with five games lost. Saints will meet higher ranked Airs in the next round. Jets will play against the league's leader Huskies (#1) and will have a slim chance for a victory.
Top scorers:
Saints: T.Kenneth 23+3reb+2ast, T.Samuel 20+8reb+3ast, T.Vodanovich 20+16reb+6ast, M.Smith 15+3reb+4ast, J.Ngatai 12+5reb+2ast, D.Rangimarie 5
Jets: R.Crawford 23+6reb+6ast, S.Temara 21+4reb+2ast, J.Bohannon 16+16reb+5ast, Z.Najdawi 12+9reb, M.Pafe 11+2reb+5ast, S.Nathaniel 5+1ast

Airs - Nuggets 96-83

An interesting game for Airs (0-0) which hosted in New Plymouth second-ranked Nuggets (5-3). Leader Airs managed to get a 13-point victory 96-83. It ended at the same time the five-game winning streak of Nuggets. American swingman Anthony Hilliard (195-1986, college: ECSU) nailed 29 points and 9 rebounds for the winning side and his fellow American import forward Javonte Douglas (203-1992, college: Montevallo) accounted for 26 points and 8 rebounds. Four Airs players scored in double figures. Airs' coach used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. American guard Keith Williams (196-98, college: WKU) came up with 28 points and 7 rebounds and the former international power forward Samuel Timmins (211-97, college: Washington) added 14 points and 11 rebounds respectively for Nuggets in the defeat. Airs maintains th place with 0-0 record. Loser Nuggets dropped to the third position with three games lost. Airs will meet at home Saints (#9) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Nuggets will play against Giants (#5) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Airs: A.Hilliard 29+9reb+1ast, J.Douglas 26+8reb+3ast, D.Carlin 16+4reb+5ast, T.Wynyard 10+11reb+2ast, R.Rodger 9+4reb+3ast, A.Bailey-Nowell 2+5reb
Nuggets: K.Williams 28+7reb+1ast, N.McCullough 19+1ast, S.Timmins 14+11reb+1ast, T.Withers 9+12reb+2ast, T.McCall 7+4reb+6ast, B.Matthew 4



Tags : TAKIULA FAHRENSOHN, AUCKLAND TUATARA, NEW ZEALAND BASKETBALL